Warriors waive fan-favorite Jeremy Lin and a look back at Lin’s 2010-11 season highlights

During the Golden State Warriors’ first day of training camp, the team pulled guard Jeremy Lin out of practice and released the local fan favorite. Despite only having nine players available to practice on Day 1 (rookies Klay Thompson and Jeremy Tyler were present but have yet to sign their contracts in order to save cap space for free agents) and Stephen Curry‘s ankle concerns, the Warriors said goodbye to the second-year guard out of Palo Alto High School. A personal favorite of owner Joe Lacob and his son Kirk Lacob, Lin would have likely competed with recently-signed second-round draft pick Charles Jenkins for the backup point guard spot.

Lin appeared in 29 games last season averaging 2.9 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists a game. When he was not on the Warriors’ bench, he spent time with the team’s D-League affiliate Reno Big Horns where he averaged 18 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 20 games.

Lin’s release from the team is no big surprise. Despite the short-handed roster at camp, affordable contract, and great support from the local fan community, Lin’s release is directly related to the teams efforts to sign Los Angeles Clippers restricted free agent center DeAndre Jordan or any other free agent names connected to the Warriors this offseason. Set to make nearly $800,000 had he stayed on the roster, every little bit of money will count if the Warriors do sign Jordan, Nene, or another major free agent.

Despite receiving limited action in his rookie season, Lin was courted by many teams, including the 2011 NBA champion Dallas Mavericks, out of the Summer League. Despite playing against weaker college competition at Harvard, Lin displayed some playmaking skills and good awareness last season.

In his season with the team, many fans will remember him as the first Asian-American since 1947 to play in the NBA. Despite showing capabilities of playing at the NBA level, many fans loved him for the ethnicity he represented while others questioned the Warriors’ brass for signing a player for PR reasons.

via Warriors Waive Fan-Favorite Lin and Signs Rookie Jenkins: Fan’s Take – NBA – Yahoo! Sports.

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